Comments (0)

Transcript of Lansdale Presbyterian

Changing EnvironmentPostmodern CulturePost-Christian EnvironmentPluralistic & MulticulturalPhase 1 (2011-2013)Change is needed at LPC . . . but what kind?Renewed Vision"Gathering a community to live for Christ."Renewed Emphasis"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1Initiatives in DevelopmentPreachingWorshipDiscipleshipChristian EducationVisitor MinistryWhat's Ahead for 2015 and 2016?Strategic Planning UpdateA Vision for LPCNot change

That strikes at the heart of what we believe concerning God, Jesus Christ, or his word

Or that reduces our commitment to declaring the whole counsel of God

Or that leads us to shrink back from addressing the hard issues of our dayBut rather change that better fulfills the Great Commission by . . .

Being more accessible, hospitable, and respectful to those outside our current church family

More effectively engaging the culture in which God has placed us

Being more intentional about living consistently as followers of Christ in our homes, jobs, schools, and community

Being more bold about about our identity as Christians and in sharing the good news of Christ with others

Being more intentional about inviting others into our fellowshipEncourage, Grow, Equip, GoCommunity

"That they may all be one, just as you. Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." John 17:21Living for Christ"And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Corinthians 5:15"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." John 14:15EncourageGrowEquipGoWe believe that in this season in the life of our church God is calling us to place a renewed emphasis on "going."EldersFurther clarify the details of how we want to be a 'going' churchIdentify and implement high priority initiativesUpdate congregation on progressMinistry Leaders & CongregationEducate, align, and unify around the visionEngage in implementing initiativesWhy Emphasize 'Going'?People are not coming on their own to LPC as they have in the past. To reverse this trend we must actively go to people and bring them.

The demographic of people who would have come to LPC in the past is shrinking. No longer able to rely on the availability of these people for our growth, we must now focus more on going to the unchurched and where necessary adjust to their unique needs. (1 Cor 9:22)"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. . . . encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." 1 Thessalonians 5:11"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jeremiah 29:7"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20 2016 and Beyond2015Growing the Kingdom byAdding to our numbers at LPCPlanting new churches

Growing our redemptive impact on the Bux Mont community as a testimony to God's grace

Clarifying, Communicating, and Initiating the VisionGrowing the Vision“How do we revitalize our church to be so vibrant and engaging in every aspect of gospel ministry that members and visitors are inspired to tell their world about LPC so they will want to be part of it? ”

"Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." Ephesians 4:15LPC JourneyPhase 12011-2013

"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”Matthew 9:35-38

A Call for PrayerGathering a community to live for ChristEncourage Grow Equip GoEncourage, Grow, Equip to 'Go'To change the trends at LPC our vision must change its emphasis

We want to be a congregation that continues to grow in lives lived fully for Christ through encouraging and equipping one another

But we especially want to encourage and equip one another so that we will grow in our going as living letters of Christ to all people.

LPC Members

Other Churches

Books, Articles, & Media

Scripture & PrayerPhase 3A life lived for Christ can only be fully lived in communion with God and in community with one another. And so we seek to gather a community where God is present and in which loving Christ-like relationships are actively pursuedTo live for Christ means to give him the primary place in our lives. It means that our love for him becomes the central motive for all that we do. In keeping with this our thoughts, words, and actions become defined by his commands.One of the benefits of living in community is having the encouragement of others. We aspire to be a community that openly acknowledges the challenges of living for Christ in this present world. And so together we commit ourselves to encourage one another with God's word, with prayer, and with acts and words of kindness.Admitting that we have not yet "arrived," we aspire to be a community that is always growing in what it means to live for Christ. Not satisfied with the status quo, our goal is to become like Christ and to increasingly reflect his wisdom, goodness, and love.We aspire to be a community in which our members are equipped to live life for Christ. And so our goal is to teach and model to one another what God's word says about how to live this life in a comprehensive way, practically applying God's truth to every sphere of our lives.We aspire to be a community that goes. By this we mean two things . . .Live the GospelTo consistently carry a life lived for Christ into every sphere of our lives, including family, work, education, community groups, civil government, and the arts. In this way others may see and experience the goodness and grace of God and be drawn to him.Tell the GospelIn addition we look for effective ways to tell others the good news about Christ and invite them to live for him.